At this very moment, the 49ers are preparing for next month's college draft. So let's pretend we are in one of those pre-draft meetings.

Let's pretend, furthermore, that a potential draftee is being discussed. The guy has talent. He's strong. Fast. Great competitor.

However, the draftee also has some red-flag items on his resume. He has been arrested four times. Twice for driving under the influence. Another of the arrests involves illegal firearms, including an assault rifle. The other arrest involves creating a public spectacle while arguing with police.

Let's pretend that you are a 49er executive staring at that resume. We all know the first word you would speak:

Why, then, would the 49ers even mess around with Aldon Smith after this latest mess he's created? If it would be an easy decision about a draft pick, why is it that much tougher a decision for an active player?

Smith should become an ex-49er very soon. Immediately would be a good idea, although that's probably impossible for various bureaucratic and salary cap reasons.

At times like these, some of us veteran 49ers watchers can't resist playing the BW card. The initials would represent Bill Walsh. We all know what the late Hall of Fame coach did for the franchise and the way he operated. And it is never wrong to follow the WWBWD dictum: What Would Bill Walsh Do?

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In the matter of Aldon Smith, there's no question in my mind what Walsh would do. He would find a way to make sure Smith never played a down for the 49ers again.

Let's be clear. In his day, Walsh could be as pragmatic as the next NFL coach or general manager. He employed some players with criminal records, if he thought that would help the 49ers win and if he thought they would be good teammates. Walsh would give second chances. But third and fourth chances? Can't ever remember that.

The best example may be one from Walsh's days as the 49ers' general manager in the late 1990s — specifically, the way he handled the case of Lawrence Phillips. A troubled running back, Phillips had been involved with assault cases as a college player at Nebraska and as a pro with the Miami Dolphins.

But in 1999, the 49ers were desperate for backfield help. Phillips was playing in NFL Europe and Walsh signed him up. But he explained to Phillips that at the first sign of bad behavior, he would be gone.

Phillips lasted until November. He mouthed off to assistant coach Tom Rathman and was cut. Phillips subsequently was arrested on felony assault and domestic abuses charges and is now incarcerated. But at least he wasn't a 49ers employee when all that happened.

Aldon Smith may or may not be headed in the same direction. There's enough on his docket that, if the charges are proven, a judge could surely find cause to confine him for a few weeks or months. But the 49ers would be wise to cut ties with him before he carries the team logo into any jail cell. Sunday's airport altercation at LAX was a flashing red light for so many reasons.

Smith was well aware that he's still facing courtroom visits for his last DUI incident and the weapons charges. Yet according to the reports, he still chose to verbally jostle with TSA guards and mention the word "bomb."

If you are going to commit a crime of any sort in America, non-violent or otherwise, just about the worst place to do it is inside an airport terminal. There are surveillance cameras everywhere. There are thousands of eye witnesses, any of whom could pull out a smart phone and click on a video app.

One officer involved in the LAX arrest said that Smith showed indications of having consumed alcohol, another flashing red light. He missed five games last season while in rehab following his DUI arrest.

Piled on the back of other recent 49ers law enforcement encounters, Smith's situation is beyond embarrassing for the franchise. It's mortifying. The team reportedly owes him a $3 million guarantee for the 2014 season. The 49ers should write the check, issue a sensitive statement regarding Smith's obvious personal demons, wish him well and send him on his way.

There are football reasons for doing so, as well. The last thing you want in a locker room is to have players looking over at a certain player and wondering if they can rely on him. On the field, Smith might be missed, but not as much as you'd think. He has top-tier natural pass rushing instincts and could be difficult to replace on six or seven crucial third downs per Sunday. On the other hand, because of his rehab absence last season, Smith started just eight games. He had 34 total tackles and 8.5 total sacks.

If the 49ers can't find someone in the draft or through a trade to replace 34 tackles and 8.5 sacks over the course of a 16-game season, general manager Trent Baalke isn't doing his job. The National Football League may make the 49ers decision easier by issuing a lengthy suspension to Smith, providing more cause to drop him. But before that even happens, the 49ers should say goodbye to Smith.

That's what Walsh would do. That's what any smart NFL team would do. The 49ers are not a stupid team.